
Stuart Williams
I'm a freelance member of the MusicRadar team, specialising in drum news, interviews and reviews. I formerly edited Rhythm and Total Guitar here in the UK and have been playing drums for more than 25 years (my arms are very tired). When I'm not working on the site, I can be found on my electronic kit at home, or gigging and depping in function bands and the odd original project.
Latest articles by Stuart Williams

Mary Berry on taking a drum lesson from Rick Astley
By Stuart Williams published
The veteran cook swapped bakes for breaks for a showstopper in 2018

“I feel like if I don’t approach it from a fun angle right now, I’ll just freak out!”: The Mars Volta’s Philo Tsoungui plays drums to Rush, LimeLight after hearing it for the first time
By Stuart Williams published
The German-born drummer happened to use Neil Peart signature sticks, despite never having heard the Rush song before

Tama is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a star-studded live event in London this November
By Stuart Williams published
The line-up features Billy Cobham, Beanie, Jeremy Stacey and more

Best Roland electronic drum sets 2025: top Roland V-Drums for beginner to pro drummers
By Chris Barnes last updated
Our comprehensive guide to the best of Roland electronic drum kit line-up

"Watch this!” says Dave Grohl as Shane Hawkins plays drums with Foo Fighters during two consecutive London dates
By Stuart Williams published
Taylor Hawkins’ son reminds us he’s inherited the skills for the family trade as he performs I'll Stick Around and My Hero

Watch: Josh Freese delivers a jaw-dropping version of Van Halen’s Hot For Teacher drum intro at Foo Fighters’ Glasgow gig
By Stuart Williams published

“AI could prove incredibly useful, from configuring our kits to generating the sounds in our head”: Where might electronic drums go next? Here are 9 of our predictions
By Stuart Williams published
Electronic drums have come a long way over the last few decades, but where are they headed in the future? From AI to radical new playing surfaces and authentic cymbals, this is our wishlist

Watch Mike Portnoy learn to play Tool Pnuema before challenging Danny Carey to play Dream Theater's The Dance of Eternity
By Stuart Williams published
Two prog-metal titans collide as Portnoy attempts the 12-minute epic from 2019's Fear Inoculum in one of Drumeo's most difficult challenges to date

“Dream of recording in a prestige studio? This easy-to-use software may be your ticket to the big time”: Universal Audio Sound City Studios review
By Stuart Williams published
We step into one of rock’s most revered studios

“I continue to miss Taylor, as does the band, his family, friends and the rest of the world.” Josh Freese pays tribute to Taylor Hawkins while marking one year as the Foo Fighters’ drummer
By Stuart Williams published
It's been 12 months since Freese was selected for one of the biggest gigs in rock

“The hi-hat is a truly Satanic instrument, it gets everywhere and there’s nothing you can do about it”: Steve Albini’s Mix with the Master’s recording tutorial is now available to watch for free
By Stuart Williams published
The four-hour-long video gives fascinating insight into Steve Albini's recording and mixing approach

Former Staind and Soil drummer Jon Wysocki has died, aged 53
By Stuart Williams published
Wysocki was a founding member of the Massachusetts post-grunge/nu-metal band

“In this case, we’re looking at a bonafide game-changer”: Alesis Strata Prime review
By Stuart Williams published
With its BFD sound library, a 10.1” touchscreen and mesh heads throughout, Alesis’ new flagship electronic drum set looks like it’s intent on changing the game

Watch Lauten Audio uncannily recreate Metallica’s Black Album drum sound with the original kit, at LA’s One on One studios where the album was recorded
By Stuart Williams published
An all-star cast featuring Black Album engineer, Mike Tacci, Darrell Thorpe, Drum Doctor Ross Garfield and Puscifer drummer Gunnar Olsen give us a forensic look at one of the greatest drum sounds in heavy music history

Lauten Audio announces Tom Mic - which it says is the world's first large diaphragm condenser mic specifically designed for rack and floor toms
By Stuart Williams published
Watch Foo Fighters engineer Darrell Thorp, RATM live engineer Sean “Sully” Sullivan and session drummer Blair Sinta put the Tom Mic through its paces

Zildjian announces Alchem-E Gold-EX, Gold and Bronze electronic drum sets in three different configurations, “We set out to create the most realistic, authentic playing experience across the entire kit and are confident that drummers will agree.”
By Stuart Williams published
Metal cymbals, acoustic shells, and input from the son of Roland's founder…

"The aluminium model is, frankly, a stone-cold bargain": DrumCraft Vanguard snare drums review
By Stuart Williams published
Not yet ratedThe revived drum brand is turning its attention to the most important drum in your setup, and you can snare yourself a bargain

YouTuber recreates Paramore’s iconic Misery Business snare drum sound from scratch without using samples, "Drum production was not the same post-Misery Business"
By Stuart Williams published
Eli Green shows how to get one of rock's best-loved snare drum sounds using a Pearl Vinnie Paul snare, some affordable microphones and a whole lotta compression

Zildjian Alchem-E: Here’s everything we know so far about the electronic drum set Zildjian is teasing on social media
By Stuart Williams published
Zildjian Alchem-E: Here’s everything we know so far about the electronic drum set Zildjian is teasing on social media

Replace your electric guitar's pots: snap, crackle 'n' pop be gone, in 12 easy steps
By Stuart Williams published
A step-by-step guide to repairing your electric's electronics

Slipknot just played their first show with their new drummer, and we all know it's Eloy Casagrande
By Stuart Williams published
Slipknot just played their first show with their new drummer, and we all know it's Eloy Casagrande

“It continues to be bittersweet. Part of me is like, 'I wish there wasn’t a reason for me to be the drummer in the Foo Fighters.’” Josh Freese on getting the call from Dave Grohl to take over from Taylor Hawkins
By Stuart Williams published
Plus, 5 other things we learned from the session ace’s interview with Rick Beato

"In a world of generic all-rounders, the Snare Mic is more than just friendly naming and marketing bluster" Lauten Audio Snare Mic review
By Stuart Williams published
It’s designed for snare drums. It’s a microphone. It’s the Lauten Audio Snare Mic
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